Automatic roll adjustment



June 5, 1951 SUTTON 2,556,120

AUTOMATIC ROLL ADJUSTMENT Filed Sept. 3, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiiIEITTOR gmm Biaiz Sutton June 5, 1951 J. B. SUTTON AUTOMATIC ROLL ADJUSTMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 3, 1948 LIE I I I I I [MENTOR {02in Bfaiz Juzton emu 12 47% June 5, 19 51 J. B. SUTTON 2,556,120

AUTOMATIC ROLL ADJUSTMENT Filed Sept. 3, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 4 I r a 4 4 426 QEWW Patented June 5, 1951 AUToMATIc ROLL ADJUSTMENT .John Blair Sutton, Bellefonte, Pa., assignor to Sutton Engineering Company, Pittsburgh, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 3, 1948, Serial No. 47,702

Claims. 1

This invention relates to automatic angular adjusting of the axes of rotation of the rolls in straightening machines of the cross-roll type where concave contoured rolls are positioned at an angle in relation to round stock passed through the machine.

The object of the invention is to provide automatic means for the proper angular adjustment of the rolls in machines of the above indicated sort simultaneously with roll adjustment to regulate the pass diameter for various diameters of round stock.

This automatic angling may be accomplished by various specific means and is applicable to any machine of the indicated sort in the use of which it is necessary to change the angular position of the axes of rotation of the rolls in adjusting the pass to various stock diameters.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. I is a schematic view showing the pivoting of arms carrying the secondary rolls of a threeroll-pass straightening machine and including means for automatically eifecting angular axial adjustment of the rolls of a pass in correspondence with adjustment of the rolls toward and away from the center of the pass line in accommodation to different stock diameters.

Fig. II is a schematic view showing a conventional arrangement of a cross-roll straightening machine comprising two of the three-roll groups shown in Fig. I and an intermediate pressure roll.

Fig. III is a schematic view showing the primary and secondary roll of one pass of a five-roll straightening machine and illustrating other means for automatically effecting angular adjustment of the rolls; it being understood that the arrangement shown in this figure of the drawings is applicable to cross-roll straightening machines of simple two-roll, three-roll or fourroll types.

Fig. IV is a schematic view showing the conventional arrangement of the rolls of a five-roll straightening machine.

Fig. V is a schematic view of a roll, showing the line of contact between the concave portion of said roll and round stock of a given diameter.

Fig. VI is a schematic view of a roll, shown for the purpose of illustrating the change of inclination of said roll for different diameters of stock.

Fig. VII is a schematic view which shows the angular adjustment of a roll of a straightening machine in accommodating to differences in stock diameters.

Fig. VIII is an end elevation of a straightening machine showing one specific embodiment of my invention in a seven-roll, three-roll-pass cross-roll straightening machine.

Fig. IX is a front elevation of the said machine looking from the right of the sheet on which Fig. VIII is shown.

Fig. X is a fragmentary sectional view taken through a primary roll showing a preferred method of mounting said roll to the frame of the machine shown in Fig. VIII.

Fig. XI is a fragmentary sectional view taken through one of the secondary rolls of the machine shown in Fig. VIII and showing a preferred method of mounting the same.

A number of means for effecting automatic angular axial adjustment may be used with various straightening machine structures, preferred embodiments of the invention for various roll arrangements being herein shown. All such means, however, stem from a common principle of interconnecting an element which causes or moves in adjustment of the rolls to vary the pass diameter with structure for automatically adjusting the angular position of the rolls. In the drawings I have illustrated certain embodiments such as rods connected to the frame of the machine and to means for adjusting the pass diameter and to the roll brackets, as shown in Figs. I, VIII and IX; and as interconnected gears, as shown in Fig. III. Automatic adjustment of the angular position of the rolls may also be achieved by the use of cams, links, screws, helical keyways and the like.

Briefly to describe my invention I have a direct connection between the frame of the machine and roll brackets which after initial adjustments automatically adjusts the angular position of the rolls simultaneously with the adjustment of the rolls to various bar diameters. This operation of axial angular adjustment is accomplished without the need of loosening or tightening lock nuts or the like, and without any adjustments other than the secondary roll adjustments toward and away from the center of the pass to suit the diameter of the stock.

It is to be noted that for better illustration of the principle involved, Figs. I to VII inclusive show schematically various means responding to the principle of automatic angling with pass '33 in which respectively they lie. necessitated bythe Wearing of the rolls maybe made-in like manner.

rolls.

3 is made up of a primary roll I and secondary rolls '2 and 3, supported by their roll brackets 4, 5 and 5 respectively. The secondary rolls are adjusted toward and away from the center of the pass by means of handwheel l which is keyed to screw 8 which has left hand and right hand threads on'opposite ends. Ashandwheel l is operated, arms 8 and iii swing with pivot shafts i! and I2 altering the size of the pass to suit the diameter of the stock it. Simultaneously with the adjustment of the rollsfor a-speci-fied stock diameter, the angular axial adjustment of the rolls is effected. Roll-bracket i i carrying -2 2--is attached to bracket- 5 through pivot pin which is fastened to said bracket. 'Rod 24 is attached to pivot pin 26 on stationary frame 2'2.

engages pin-E i.

which is free" to swing on fixed pivot 55.

When adjustment is made through handwheel I for variousstock diameters, motion-is transmittedthrough rodsZ-and 22 to bracket 5 thus pivoting said bracket on its center 28 and changing the angle of secondary roll 2.

' Secondary roll 3 is angularly adjusted in manner identical to that usedfor secondaryroll 2, 'except-that-the mechanism "for angular axial adjustment is situated on the far side of arm id,

- s'o'that the angular adjustment of the two secondary rolls is opposite in sense.

The initial setting of the roll angle of all three rollsis maintained by the turnbuckles ll, 23 and 29. The ratio of angular change to in-and-out movement of the rolls may be-altered by adjusting the pivot pins i9, 26 and 39 in slots Si, 32 and Regulation from the pass line to accommodate various stock diameters. 'In order to effect the automatic angular adjustment, the mechanism for effecting angular adjustment of said roll may be connected to the'means for causing itsimand-out adjustment.

In Fig. III I have illustrated another method ofeffecting automatic angular adjustment of the This view shows in schematic endelevation a primary'roll 35 and a-secondary .roll 36 which may form one pass of a straightening machine of the five cross-roll type. Roll 36 is laterally adjusted by handwheel 31 which is keyedameter of stock which is designated by numeral just the secondary roll laterally to suitthe dito roll brackettii carrying primary roll 35.

Pinion'49 which iskeyedto screw38 engages 7 gear 553 which iskeye'dtoscrew-box 5| rotatable in the machine frame. By rotating screw box 5| through gear 53 adjusting screw 52 is moved longitudinallyin the screw box. Link 53 at one end is fastened to screw 52 and its opposite end Pin -54 is attached to arm 55 Arm 55 also engages pin 51 which is securel fastened It can clearly be seen that when handwheel 3'! is operated for various stock diameters, the inclination of the secondary roll 35 is effected by the movement of pin 45 along slot dfi'and the inclination of the primary :roll is effected by the swinging ofarm 55 on its pivot 56.

For the initial setting of the roll angle in relation .to the lateral movement of theisecondary rolls or for adjusting the angle necessitated by the wearing of the rolls, the set angle of the primary roll 35 can be adjusted by removing. pinion i9, permitting screw 38 to be turned without moving gear 56. The set angle of the secondary roll can be adjusted by adjusting guide-plate. in slots 59 through which the fastening screws 48 engage the-main frame of the machine. 1 It may be noted that if it is desired-automatically to adjust the angular position of'an intermediate pressure roll in organizations as shown in Figs. II and IV this struoture'provides one convenient means for so doing.

It may also be desirable to adjust the'ratio of change in the roll angle with respect to pass diameter adjustment. The ratio of angular adjustment of the primary roll-35can be regulated by adjusting the position of pin 54 in slot 60 of arm 55. The ratio of angular adjustment of the secondary roll canbe regulated by changing the pitch of slot :36 in guiding plate 4'! by. tilting guiding plate t? slightly.

Fig. IV is a schematic plan view showing the conventional arrangement of the five-roll group shown in Fig. III. Primary roll..35a of secondary r011 36a are on the oppositeend of-the machine from rolls 35 and 36 and are adjusted both laterally and angularly in the samemanner in "Which rolls 35 andtfi are adjusted. Intermediate pressure roll 8i may be adjusted -automatically in some suitable manneryas by the means noted above.

In Fig. V I have illustrated theinclination of a roll 62 to a bar, or tub-e, 63 of a given diameter to give a line of contact of said bar with the concave portion of said roll between points a and b. If, however, the diameter of the-banshould be changed, the inclinationof the roll would also have to be changed to maintain a line of contact between pointsa and b.

Referring now to'Fig. VI, ifthe bar is smaller in diameter than the'bar, or tube, 63' of Fig. V, the angle designated-bye must befdecreased to maintain a line of contact betweenthe bar and the concave portion of the roll betweenpoints a and b. However, if the bar is largerin diameter than that originally mentioned, the angle designatediby c; must .be'increased to maintain a line of contact between the bar -and the concave portion of the roll between the points azandb.

1 roll in accommodating to difference in diameter 64 and angle e shows the angular relation of the roll to greater diameter stock 65. Angle j is the angle through which adjustment is made in accommodating to stock between these diameters. It is to be understood that these two exemplary stock diameters do not of necessity include the diameter range of stock on Which a machine of the illustrated sort can operate. Also in any machine the angle through which adjustment should be made will vary with the normal, or mean, roll inclination which is used and with the stock sizes on which the machine is designed to operate. Also it should be noted that the degree of roll angularity bears a relationto the contour of the roll, and that a nice adjustment of angularity requires accommodation to changes in contour as the roll is worn down in service.

In Figs. VIII and IX I have disclosed a straightening machine simila to that of my previous application Serial No. 705,778, filed October 25, 1946, which has matured into Patent No. 2,455,- 391, granted December 7, 1948, to which I have applied my present invention.

Briefly to describe the adjustment of the cross rolls of that machine for various stock diameters, the turning of shaft 66 through screw boxes 6'! and 58 moves the arms 69 and ID to which the secondary rolls H and 72 are mounted. Arms 58 and 10 swing respectively about horizontal pivot shafts 13 and Hi. Convergent inward swinging of arms 69 and it causes secondary rolls H and 12 to approach the primary roll of the pass to decrease the pass diameter, and conversely outward divergent swinging of the arms increases the pass diameter. Simultaneously with the adjustment of the rolls for a specified stock diameter the angular adjustment of the rolls is effected.

Roll bracket 15 carrying primary roll iii is secured to a backing plate 1! which is equipped with a lug 13 having a pivot pin 19 to which is attached rod 83. Turnbuckle 8i interconnects rod 86 with rod 32. Rod 82 is secured to a sliding bracket 83 through universal joint s4. Screws 85 fasten bracket 83 to lever 36 which is keyed to pivot shaft 14 with which arm in swings.

As arm 10 pivots with shaft I4 for adjusting the pass diameter in accommodation to various stock sizes, the motion is transmitted through lever 86 and rods 82 and 8G to lug i8, thus swinging backing plate 1'! and roll bracket 15 to change the angle of the primary roll.

For initial setting of the angle of primary roll 15 in relation to the pass-diameter determining movement of the secondary rolls or for adjusting the angle necessitated for the wearing of the rolls, the angular setting of primary roll 16 can be altered by turnbuckle 8i. The ratio of angular roll adjustment to pass diameter adjust -Rod 89 is attached to backing plate 88 through universal joint 92. Rod 90 is secured to stationary frame element 93 through universal joint The end portion of universaljoint 94 is in I the form of a bracket designated by numeral 94a which is slidably mounted in frame element 93 and is secured to the frame element by means of screws 95. When adjustment is made for various stock diameters, motion will be transmitted through divided rod Bib-9b to backin plate 88 and roll bracket 81, thus turning said bracket on its center and changing the angle of secondary roll H.

Secondary roll 12 is angularly adjusted in a manner identical to that used for secondary roll H.

To accomplish opposite angular adjustment of the secondary rolls, the fixed points or bracket 94a is located toward and outside of the machine and outwardly beyond pivot point I3 of swinging arm 69, while corresponding bracket 97a is located further inward of the machine and inwardly of pivot point 74. It can be seen clearly that as the arms 69 and 10 carrying secondary rolls H and 12 swing divergently outward, their movement acts to secure the desired angular adjustment. As arm 69 swings outwardly to accommodate larger stock diameters, its upper end swings away from the vertical axis of the pass. In so doing it swings the upper end of divided rod 899fi outwardly, and swings it about its center in frame element 93 and bracket 94a. This movement increases the effective length of the rod, causing it to bear upwardly on roll bracket 81 so to rotate the bracket as to increase the angularity of roll il in its functional direction. As arm it? swings outwardly away from the vertical axis of the pass it swings the upper end of divided rod ii6l l1 outwardly about its center in bracket 91a which decreases the effective length of the rod, causing it to pull downwardly on roll bracket iii! and increase the angularit of roll 12 in its functional direction. The movement of the arms 69 and 1B inwardly to accommodate smaller stock diameters would reverse the above procedure and decrease the angularity of the secondary rolls in their functional. direction.

For the initial setting of the roll angle in relation to the movement of the secondary rolls or for adjusting the angle necessitated by the wearing of the rolls, the angle of the secondary rolls H and I2 can be altered by adjusting turnbuckles 9i and 96. The ratio of angular change to in-and-out movement of the rolls may be altered by loosening screws 95 and adjusting bracket 94a and corresponding bracket iila along dovetail ways, or the like 98 and 9a in frame elements 93 and 93a.

Intermediate pressure roll lei}, Fig. IX, may be adjusted toward and away from the pass line to accommodate various stock diameters. In order to effect the angling of this roll automatically, the mechanism for effecting axial angular adjustment said roll may be connected to the means for causing its in-and-out adjustment, as has been indicated above with respect to roll 35 shown in Fig. III.

In Fig. X I have illustrated the mounting of the primary r011. Primary roll 16 is mounted in bracket 15 which is secured to a backing plate H by means of screws NH. The backing plate is held against frame M2 by stud me, nuts i E34 and i135, and spring we allowing it to swing about its center I ii. The secondary rolls are mounted in a like manner, Fig. XI showing a section through roll 12. Roll 12 is mounted in bracket Nil which is secured to backing plate I98 by screws .109. The secondary roll swings aboutits center. H0

prising a frame and at least one three-roll pass assembly comprising a primary roll rotatably mounted in the said frame and angularly adjust able angularly to adjust the axis of its rotation, two roll-carrying arms pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement toward and away from each other, means for swinging said arms andtwo secondary rolls rotatably carried by said arms in opposition to each other and to the said primary roll to form with the said primary roll a cross-roll pass of regulable diameter for the reception of round stock, said secondary rolls being angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axes of their rotation; automatic means for angularly adjusting the said secondary rolls of the pass comprising linkages interconnecting the said angularly adjustable secondary rolls each with fixed structure to correlate the angular positioning of the said rolls to pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls in swinging movement of the said roll-carrying arms, and structure comprised in said means for angular adjustment of the secondary rolls regulable to control the correlation between the angular positioning of the said rolls and the said pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls.

7. In a cross-roll straightening machine comprising a frame and at least one three-roll pass assembly comprising a primary roll rotatably mounted in the said frame and angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axis of its rotation, two roll-carrying arms pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement toward and away from each other, means for swinging said arms and two secondary rolls rotatably carried by said arms in opposition to each other and to the said primary roll to form with the said primary roll a cross-roll pass of regulable diameter for the reception of round stock, said secondary rolls being angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axes of their rotation; automatic means for angularly adjusting the said secondary rolls of the pass comprising linkages interconnecting the said angularly adjustable secondary rolls each with fixed structure automatically to correlate the angular positioning of the said rolls to pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls in swinging movement of the said roll-carrying arms, and. linkage connecting the said primary roll with one of the said roll-carrying arms effective in swinging movement of the said arm automatically to adjust the angular positioning of the said primary roll in accordance with passdiameter regulating movement of the said arm.

8. In a cross-roll straightening machine comprising a frame and at least one three-roll pass assembly comprising a primary roll rotatably mounted in the said frame and angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axis of its rotation, two roll-carrying arms pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement toward and away from each other, means for swinging said arms and two secondary rolls rotatably carried by said arms in opposition to each other and to the said primary roll to form with the said primary roll a cross roll pass of regulable diameter for the reception of round stock, said secondary rolls being angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axes of their rotation; automatic means for angularly adjusting the said secondary rolls of the pass comprising linkages interconnecting the said angularly adjustable secondary rolls each with fixed structure to correlate the angular position ing of the said rolls to pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls in swinging movement of the said roll-carrying arms, structure comprised in said means for angular adjustment of the secondary rolls regulable to control the correlation between the angular positioning of the said rolls and the said pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls, and linkage connecting the said primary roll with one of the said roll-carryin arms effective in swinging movement'of the said arm automatically to adjust the angular po-' sitioning of the said primary roll in accordance with pass-diameter regulating movement of the said arm.

9. In a cross-roll straightening machine comprising a frame and at least one three-roll assembly comprising a primary roll rotatably mounted in the said frame and angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axis of its rotation, two roll-carrying arms pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement toward and away from each other, means for swinging said arms and two secondary rolls rotatably carried by said arms in opposition to each other and to the said primary roll to form with the said primary roll a cross-roll pass of regulable diameter for the re ception of round stock, said secondary rolls being angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axes of their rotation; automatic means for angularly by adjusting the said secondary rolls of the pass comprising linkages interconnecting the said angularly adjustable secondary rolls each with fixed structure to correlate the angular positioning of the said rolls to pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls in swinging movement of the said roll-carrying arms, linkage connecting the said primary roll with one of the said roll-carrying arms effective in swinging movement of the said arm automatically to adjust the angular positioning of the said primary roll in accordance with pass-diameter regulating movement of the said arm, and structure comprised in said means for angular adjustment of said primary roll regulable to control the correlation between the angular positioning of the said roll and the said pass-diameter determining positioning of all the said rolls.

10. In a cross-roll straightening machine comprising a frame and at least one three-roll pass assembly comprising a concave primary roll rotatably mounted in the said frame and angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axis of its rotation, two roll-carrying arms pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement toward and away from each other, means for swinging said arms and two concave sec-ondary rolls rotatably carried by said arms in opposition to each other and to the said primary roll to form with the said primary roll a cross-roll pass of regulable diameter for the reception of round stock, said secondary rolls being angularly adjustable angularly to adjust the axes of their rotation; automatic means for angularly adjusting the said secondary rolls of the pass comprising linkages interconnect the said angularly adjustable secondary rolls each with fixed structure to correlate the angular positioning of the said rolls to pass-diameter determining positioning of the rolls in swinging movement of the said roll-carrying arms, linkage connecting the said primary roll with one of the said roll-carrying arms effective in swinging movement of the said arm automatically to adjust the angular positioning of the said primary roll in accordance with pass-diameter regulating movement of the said arm, and structure comprised in the adjusting linkage of each of said rolls regulable to control the correlation be- 7 f1 7 f2 tween'r-the angnlr positioning 'ofthe "roll and tHe? STATES PATENTS said pass=diameter" dtermining positiomhg or Number Name Date tliefirol'li 7 i JOHNEBLAIRSUTTON: #391,869 Ide1.. f Feb. 1.0, 1931. M 5 FOREIGN i PATENTS, I REFERENCES CIT-ED' Number; Country 1 Date 1311's.?follbwingflreferences are ofmecordiin the 81244: Germany of 71879 of this patent: 

